Councillors question Uisce Éireann’s lack of transparency following meeting in Cork

Several Cork city councillors have expressed frustration with Uisce Éireann following a meeting earlier this week.

Councillors had been calling for the body to come before the council, and a meeting was eventually held in committee — meaning it was not open to the public or media.

Two councillors specifically asked why it had taken so long for this meeting to occur and why it was happening behind closed doors.

An Uisce Éireann spokesperson said it “has always been and remains committed to open dialogue with Cork city councillors in relation to water discolouration”, adding that they have held three dedicated briefings for elected officials since May 2024.

The recent engagement “is part of a national water services workshop initiative with all councils across the country, all of which are held in committee”, they said, adding that the workshops “have proved very constructive”.

Social Democrats councillor Niamh O’Connor said that the meeting should have been public.

“The issues faced by the people of Cork in accessing clean drinking water are of great concern to the general public, and those concerned should have been able to attend the meeting and hear the answers given for themselves.

“Uisce Éireann states on a regular basis that they wish to be transparent with public representatives and with the public and to communicate effectively. Unfortunately, their actions do nothing to convince me that they are genuine in that aim,” she said.

Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan said while the meeting “did mark some progress”, he also expressed disappointment that the meeting was not open to the public.

“I wouldn’t have said anything different in public to in private, but this does not help them to appear able,” he said.

He added that he had not gotten written responses to his questions until the meeting was over, and that he was not satisfied with the responses.

Prior to the meeting, councillors who wished to submit written questions could do so — but written answers for these were only provided the day after the meeting.

Labour councillor Peter Horgan said the responses he received were “vague in nature” and that specific questions “had not been answered”.